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Sunday 7th September 2008
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Brainteasers Interactive Quiz #58:
More Pilot/Controller Glossary

Our Quiz #50, "Pilot/Controller Glossary," was one of our most popular, and many readers asked for more. Well, here you are! Once again, this quiz is based on the Pilot/Controller Glossary (in the FAA's AIM), whose purpose is to define and explain the terminology used by pilots and controllers when communicating on ATC frequencies. You're invited to test and to extend your knowledge of that terminology.

by Irv Siegel

The information for this quiz comes from the Pilot/Controller Glossary published in the FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual (and also included in FAA Order 7110.65 "Air Traffic Control" and in FAA Order 7110.10 "Flight Services").

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the questions as best you can, then click on the "Score my quiz answers" button to see your score and read the explanations. If you don't like your score the first time around, you can change some of your answers and resubmit. To get the most out of this quiz, we suggest you keep trying until you get a perfect score.

NOTE: When more than one answer is true, only the most complete correct answer will be scored as correct.

1. What is "ARINC"?
a supplement to FAA radar.


and meteorological services in portions of international airspace.


avionics equpment.


b. An acronym for Aeronautical Radio, Inc., a corporation largely owned by a
c. An acronym for Aeronautical Radio, Inc., a corporation that manufactures
contracted by the FAA to provide communications support for air traffic control
d. An acronym for Aeronautical Radio, Inc., a corporation that operates
group of airlines. ARINC is licensed by the FCC as an aeronautical station and
non-federal control towers.


time radar displays of both air traffic and severe weather. It is used by ATC as
2. What is the meaning of "back-taxi"?
a. A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft back to its
b. A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft back to the
c. A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the ramp
d. A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the runway
instead of on the taxi-way.


opposite to the traffic flow


run-up area.


starting point on the airport.

3. What is the meaning of "cardinal altitudes"?
a. Any altitude that is legal for IFR operations.
b. Any altitude that is legal for VFR operations.
c. Any altitude below 10,000'
d. "Odd" or "Even" thousand-foot altitudes or flight
e.g. 5,500, 6,500, 7,500, etc.


levels; e.g., 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, FL 250, FL 260, FL 270.

4. What is the meaning of "clear of the runway"?
a. A taxiing aircraft, which is approaching a runway, is clear of the runway
b. A pilot or controller may consider an aircraft, which is exiting or
beyond the applicable holding position marking.


c. Both a and b
crossing a runway, to be clear of the runway when all parts of the aircraft are
d. None of the above
marking.


when all parts of the aircraft are held short of the applicable holding position
5. "Close parallel runways" are two parallel runways whose extended
a. 3,800'
b. 4,300'
c. 5,300'
centerlines are separated by less than


d. 5,800'
6. A "compass rose" may be oriented on
a. magnetic north
b. true north
c. either magnetic north or true north
d. none of the above
7. What is the meaning of "established"?
a. To be stable or fixed on a route within five degrees of the charted
b. To be stable or fixed on a route within ten degrees of the charted course.
c. To be stable or fixed on a route within five degrees of a charted approach
course, or within ten degrees of a charted enroute course.


d. No guidance as to a specific acceptable angular course deviation is given
in the Glossary.

8. What is the meaning of "Flight Check" when used in ATC
a. A call-sign prefix used by FAA aircraft engaged in flight
aircraft as shown on the ATC radar screen.


b. A call-sign prefix used by pilots of aircraft engaged in flight testing
c. A call-sign prefix used by pilots of aircraft engaged in practical tests
communications?


d. A request by a pilot for ATC to transmit the altitude and airspeed for the
for pilot certification.


inspection/certification of navigational aids and flight procedures.


new aircraft or aircraft that have been modified or repaired.

9. When a pilot transmits "amount of fuel remaining" to ATC, this
a. gallons, not including reserve
amount should be given in


b. gallons, including reserve
c. pounds, not including reserve
d. pounds, including reserve
e. time, not including reserve
f. time, including reserve
10. "Gate hold procedures" are procedures at selected airports to
a. 5 minutes.
b. 10 minutes.
c. 15 minutes.
d. 20 minutes.
e. 30 minutes.
exceed or are anticipated to exceed


f. 45 minutes.
hold aircraft at the gate or other ground location whenever departure delays